The crisis within the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a dramatic turn on Wednesday as the party announced the expulsion of three prominent members: Dan Orbih, Philip Shaibu, and Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama. The announcement was made by the Anthony Aziegbemi-led state executive committee.
Orbih serves as the National Vice Chairman South-South of the PDP, Shaibu is the former deputy governor of Edo State, and Ogbeide-Ihama is a former two-term representative of the Oredo Federal Constituency in the National Assembly.
State Publicity Secretary Ogie Vasco explained in a statement from Benin City that the trio was expelled for “anti-party activities.” The decision was taken at a meeting of the State Working Committee (SWC) held at the party secretariat on Airport Road. Vasco noted that nine members of the SWC attended the meeting, where they thoroughly deliberated before deciding to expel the three members.
Chief Dan Orbih dismissed the expulsion as the actions of “idle persons and busybodies.” In a telephone interview, he stated, “The state leadership of the party is only amusing themselves. They don’t have the power to suspend a member of the National Working Committee. When a group of persons who are idle and have nothing to do sit down to make pronouncements that are unconstitutional, it only shows that they are ignorant of the constitution of the party. They don’t have any power to even suspend or expel anybody without strictly following the provisions of the party’s constitution.”
Orbih’s view was echoed by local party members. The Oredo Local Government chapter of the PDP disowned the expulsion of Ogbeide-Ihama by Ward 2 leaders. Oredo Local Government Chairman Mr. Oduwa Igbinosun described the expulsion as “null and void,” emphasizing that the local government exco had no knowledge of such an action and that the group led by Lawrence Aguebor lacked the authority to expel anyone.
Igbinosun further pointed out that the National Working Committee (NWC) had extended the tenure of all elected excos, allowing them to act as a caretaker committee. “The said Lawrence is an ex-official of the ward and lacks the authority to suspend or expel anyone,” he said.
The executives of PDP Ward 2 also disowned the purported expulsion. Ward Secretary Jesuobo Obadigie stated, “It is expected that anyone who loves the party should, at this point, be focused on actions that will unite the party ahead of the September governorship elections. This is to warn mischief-makers and impostors to desist from their criminal and divisive actions that could cause potential harm.”
Ward Chairman Prince Elemah denied signing any document against Ogbeide-Ihama, asserting that he remains a leader and a bona fide member of the ward. “Ogbeide-Ihama remains our leader and a bona fide member,” Elemah said.
In a unanimous decision, all 12 members of the ward exco declared that Ogbeide-Ihama remains a prominent and respected leader within the party and assured him of their full support.
This upheaval comes despite Chief Nyesom Wike’s open campaign for the APC, highlighting the ongoing internal struggles within the PDP.
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